Delano Howell and Caesar Raeford are preparing for the biggest game of their professional lives.

Play well Thursday night at Cincinnati, and they could end up making Indianapolis' 53-man roster. Play poorly, and their careers could end Friday.

It's a risky proposition in a league where more than 700 players will be cut this weekend.

Howell and Rayford have tried to convince Colts coaches to keep them around.

Howell leads the team with 17 preseason tackles and was dubbed the "marathon man" by coach Chuck Pagano after participating in 106 plays in the Colts' preseason opener. Rayford has steadily progressed and now leads Indianapolis with five sacks in three games.

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